Simulation modelling and analysis of routing flexibility of a flexible manufacturing system Online publication date: Sat, 31-Jan-2015
by O.A. Joseph, R. Sridharan
International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering (IJISE), Vol. 8, No. 1, 2011
Abstract: Routing flexibility is a major contributor of the flexibility of a flexible manufacturing system (FMS). This paper focuses on the evaluation of the routing flexibility of an FMS with the dynamic arrival of part types for processing in the system. A typical FMS configuration is chosen for detailed study and analysis. The system is set at five different levels of routing flexibility. Operations of part types can be processed on alternative machines depending upon the level of routing flexibility present in the system. Two cases have been considered with respect to the processing times of operations on alternative machines. A discrete-event simulation model has been developed to describe the operation of the FMS. The routing flexibility of the system has been evaluated using the measures such as routing efficiency, routing versatility and routing variety. The flexibility levels are ranked based on the routing flexibility measure for the system.
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